Ejector refrigeration system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ejector refrigeration systems using carbon dioxide as a fluid medium face inefficiencies and malfunctions when external ambient temperatures are low due to insufficient pressure lift, leading to reduced refrigeration energy efficiency and complex structures with high costs.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a phase adjustment mechanism to adjust the fluid working medium entering the ejector into a gas-liquid two-phase state, utilizing components like a differential pressure sensor, expansion valve, and bypass pipeline to optimize the gas-liquid ratio, ensuring sufficient pressure lift and uninterrupted operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the ejector refrigeration system operates in low external ambient temperature conditions, then the fluid pressure at the outlet of the first heat exchanger becomes excessively low, but the ejector cannot provide sufficient pressure lift and the working medium pressure at the ejector outlet cannot be raised to the specified pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal ambient temperatureVSAvoidfluid pressure at ejector outlet
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the phase state parameter of the fluid working medium entering the ejector by introducing a phase adjustment mechanism. This mechanism modifies the gas-liquid ratio of the working medium to optimize the ejector's pressure lift capability under low ambient temperature conditions, enabling the system to maintain adequate outlet pressure despite the excessively low inlet pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure boosting systems (such as booster pumps or bypass valves) with a phase adjustment mechanism that utilizes phase change properties of the working medium. This substitution simplifies the system structure while effectively addressing the pressure lift insufficiency problem in low temperature environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a booster pump or bypass branches are added to ensure sufficient pressure lift, then the normal operation of the refrigeration system is ensured, but the structure becomes complex and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenormal operation of refrigeration systemVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex pressure boosting equipment (booster pumps, bypass branches, solenoid valves, pressure regulating valves) by introducing a phase adjustment mechanism. This mechanism directly addresses the pressure lift problem at its source by modifying the working medium's phase state, thereby simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase adjustment mechanism enables the ejector system to self-regulate and maintain adequate pressure lift by utilizing the inherent phase change properties of the working medium. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external mechanical assistance systems, reducing structural complexity while ensuring continuous normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If bypass branches with multiple solenoid valves and pressure regulating valves are added, then the refrigeration system can operate normally, but the refrigeration energy efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenormal operation of refrigeration systemVSAvoidrefrigeration energy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The phase adjustment mechanism optimizes the energy efficiency by precisely controlling the phase state and gas-liquid ratio of the working medium entering the ejector. This parameter optimization ensures that the ejector operates at peak efficiency under low ambient temperature conditions, minimizing energy losses associated with bypass operations and valve actuations while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the pressure lift of the ejector, maintains system reliability, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies the structure, thereby improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the ejector 300 cannot provide sufficient pressure lift, and a working medium pressure at an outlet of the ejector 300 cannot be raised to a specified pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure lift: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a phase adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a phase state of the fluid working medium entering the primary flow inlet of the ejector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

the phase adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for controlling an opening degree of the expansion valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Valve

Implementation Method 4

a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a differential pressure between the secondary flow inlet of the ejector and the ejector outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 5

a gas-liquid separator including an inlet connected to the ejector outlet, a gas outlet connected to the suction port of the compressor, and a liquid outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-liquid separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4632290A1Ejector refrigeration system
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CARRIER CORP
  • EP4632290A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632290A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4632290A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ejector refrigeration system includes: a compressor (1) having a suction port (11) and a discharge port (21); a first heat exchanger (2) connected to the discharge port of the compressor to receive a fluid working medium flowing out from the discharge port of the compressor; and an ejector (3) including a primary flow inlet (31) connected to the first heat exchanger to receive a fluid working medium from the first heat exchanger, a secondary flow inlet (32), an ejector outlet (33) connected to the suction port of the compressor to return a fluid working medium entering the ejector to the suction port of the compressor, and a phase adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a phase state of the fluid working medium entering the primary flow inlet of the ejector or adjust a gas-liquid ratio of the fluid working medium at the primary flow inlet.